My favorite definition of culture is “the way things get done around here.”
Years ago when I worked at Microsoft, my cousin, who was a private investigator in DC, came out for the holidays. He asked how we could really be serious and get work done while wearing a fleece and sneakers. I told him we worked long and hard, and therefore had to be as comfortable as possible: Didn’t he find wearing a suit a distraction?
Culture ranges from how people dress and talk to leadership and reward structures. We all know that culture fit matters—you’ll be happier and more successful (as will your supervisor) if there’s a good match.
Thankfully, there are specific interview questions you can ask to find out whether a company is right for you that will give you much more information than the standard, “What’s your culture like?” Of course, you won’t use all of the questions below with every interviewer, so pick the ones that are most important to you. If you’re deciding between multiple offers, ask the same questions across organizations so you can compare responses.
Figure Out How the Company Engages and Supports Employees
With these questions, your goal is to see how engaged employees are and whether they feel like they have a good “deal” with their employer. That includes growth opportunities and support—even when projects don’t meet desired outcomes.
Companies who really live their values integrate them into their talent management processes. You’ll see those values showing up in everyday behaviors and important decisions, not just displayed on the walls and coffee mugs.
Here are five questions you can ask to get a better sense of company values and employee engagement:
Figure Out How the Company Deals With Conflict and Politics
Conflict is everywhere—and that can be a good thing! Healthy conflict allows employees to share and resolve multiple viewpoints. When people consistently avoid conflict, differences fester and may lead to resentment. On the other hand, high-performing teams have a productive approach to disagreement and problem solving, so that everyone feels heard.
Additionally, strong leaders are open to innovation. The best managers share real time feedback—be it positive or constructive. A lack of two-way feedback may be a sign of conflict avoidance.
Here are five questions you can ask to gain a clearer understanding of conflict and politics at a given company:
Figure Out What the Day-to-Day Work Environment is Like
Naturally, you want to join a company that recognizes people’s achievements, celebrates success, and cares about its employees and the community.
And if you’re hoping to work remotely or find a job that fits your schedule, you should definitely probe the organization’s flexibility during the interview process. Choose a place where people have fun, feel valued, and where the environment fits your needs.
Here are five questions you can ask to gain more insight into the work environment:
Remember, every company has a unique value system, approach to conflicts and internal politics, and working environment. If someone tells you otherwise, be suspicious! While the only way to know what a company is really like is to experience it first hand, investing time upfront and learning as much as you can will help minimize surprises.
Mikaela Kiner is an Executive Coach specializing in leadership development, career transition, and working with high potential women leaders. Through her coaching practice, Mikaela has helped people recognize how they want to live and lead, in a purposeful way based on their values. Her motto is “While life may not work every day, it works!”
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